The Department of Trade and Industry in Bicol (DTI-5) and the DTI-Albay on Tuesday provided starter livelihood kits to at least 70 small business entrepreneurs from different towns and cities in the province.

In a phone interview on Wednesday, DTI-Bicol officer in charge (OIC) Regional Director Dindo Nabol said the beneficiaries of the “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa” Program were among the entrepreneurs affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and calamities that hit the region.

“Each beneficiary received PHP10,000-worth of food processing, “sari-sari” (retail) store and cutlery kits during the awarding ceremony at Daraga Community College covered court,” Nabol said.

The beneficiaries are from the towns of Tiwi, Malilipot, Bacacay, Sto. Domingo, Manito, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Oas, Polangui and Pioduran, and the cities of Tabaco, Legazpi and Ligao.

“To be a beneficiary, an individual must have a registered and existing small business. The operation of their business was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic or any other calamity. They must not be a beneficiary of any assistance from any other government agencies. The business was classified under our priority industries (mostly processing) and evaluation was done by our field staff in coordination with the concerned local government unit (barangay),” Nabol said.

Janet Acuña, one of the beneficiaries of a sari-sari store kit from Legazpi City, thanked the DTI after receiving a grocery package. She said she has also attended entrepreneurial training that will help her sustain the livelihood aid from the government.

Ronald Paguigan, another beneficiary from Ligao City, said he can’t wait to try his food processing kit including some cooking wares, a stove, a knife set and mixing bowls.

Nabol said similar starter livelihood kits would also be distributed to other provinces. (PNA)